Jesse griffith



(No Model.)

J. GRIFFITH.

MATCH BOX.

No. 547,070. Patented Oct. l, 1895.

l Il

A TTOHNEY.

AN DREW BLRANAM. PHOTD-UTNO WASHINGTON` D O @its raras JESSE GRIFFITH, OF ST. JAMES, NEBRASKA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LEWIS HOLSE, OF SAME PLACE.

MATCH-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 547,070, dated October 1, 1895.

Application filed November 17, 18911. Serial No. 529,124. (No model.)

Il" 0 all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, J Essn GRIFFITH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at St. James,in the county of Cedar and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match -Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention relates to match-receptacles for receiving a pile of matches and paying them out one at a time at each operation of the delivery-slide.

The object of the improvement is the provision of a match-box which will be positive in its action and deliver a match at each operation of the slide until each and every match has been taken from the box.

The improvement consists of the novel features which will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed,and which are shown in the annexed drawings, in Which- Figure l is a perspective view of the box, the cover being thrown open and the slide being partly drawn back. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section showing the operation of the slide by dotted lines.

The box or receptacle A may be of any suitable design and shape, and, as shown, is rectilinear and closed at the top by a cover B, which is hinged at one edge and provided at the other edge with a catch b, by means of which the cover is held closed. An opening a is provided in the side of the box to come opposite the catch b, so that the latter may be released by the insertion of a nail or wire through the opening a. By this means a convenient and simple locking device is provided to secure the cover against the opening by persons unacquainted with the manner of releasing the catch.

The delivery-slide operates through an opening or slot 2 in the end of the box and is provided with a knob 3, by means of which the said slide is readily operated. A pin d, depending from the inner end of the slide, travels in a groove A in the bottom of the box and limits the outward movement of the said slide. This pin is preferably placed in position through an opening 5 in the box-bottom. Atransverse groove 6 in the top of the slide about midway of its length forms a pocket to receive the match and carry the same beyond the end of the box on pulling the slide out. (See the dotted lines in Fig. 2.) This groove or pocket 6 is just of sufficient depth and Width to receive a single match, and its rear wall curves slightly at the upper edge to prevent the catching of a second match thereon. Notches 7 extend in opposite directions from the Walls of the pocket to admit of the match being readily grasped after the slide is drawn out.

A partition Eis located in the box and slants upwardly and away from the end of the box, through which the slide operates. The lower edge of this partition forms a close joint with the top surface of the slide and prevents the latter from tipping at its outer end, and also serves to prevent the matches from dropping in the rear of the slide when the latter is drawn out. This partition is positioned so that its lower edge comes over the inner end of the slide when the latter is drawn out to the limit of its movement.

A spring holder or wire O is attached to the rear end of the box and extends over the match-receiving compartment and holds the matches down and prevents them from springing upward on operating the slide and from assuming positions which will interfere with the efficient service of the device. This springholder extends through a slot e in the top edge of the partition E and reaches to the front end of the box.

The match-receiving compartment is that space bounded by the front end, the partition, and the forward portions of the sides of the box and is closed at the bottom by the slide. The matches, being placed in the said cornpartment beneath the spring-holder and the cover closed, are delivered one at a time for use by drawing out the slide. One side of the box will be roughened or provided with sandpaper 8, on which the matches are struck.

I claim The herein described match box having an opening in one end and closed at the top by a suitable cover, an inclined partition having a slot in its upper edge, a slide working horizontaliy through the end opening and having matches down upon the slide, substantially Io a transverse pocket in its upper face whose as set forth. rear Wall is curved, and having an intersect- In testimony whereof I aiix my signature ing nger notch, a pin depending from the in presence of two witnesses.

5 slide and working in a groove in the bottom to limit the movements of the slide, and a JESSE GRIFFITH. spring holder secured at one end to the rear Witnesses: wall of the box and passing through the slot B. READY,

` in the partition and serving to press the H. F. MILLER. 

